Dean Clark Stevens, 79, died after a brief illness at UNC Health Johnston in Smithfield, NC on Friday, October 17, 2025.  Dean was born on January 6, 1946, in Pensacola, FL to Ezra and Grace Johnson Stevens. He was pre-deceased by his parents and wife of 49 years, Geraldine Neilsen Stevens.  He is survived by his daughters, Beth Stevens McFadyen (Joseph) and Emily L. Stevens; two grandsons, Andrew Page McFadyen (Drake) and Jacob Stevens McFadyen (Piper); his brother, David E. Stevens (Diana); and adored nieces and nephews.

Dean was educated at Norview High School in Norfolk, VA, and completed an Apprenticeship as a machinist at the Norfolk & Western Railway Company (Norfolk Southern), where he learned to love trains, repair engines, build machines, and engineer almost anything.  Through the Railroad, Dean received certificates from University of Virginia (Supervisory Management) and Old Dominion College (Electricity and General Curriculum).  This training carried him through a long career in manufacturing, production, and printing positions until his retirement in June of 2016 from Southern Lithoplate Inc.

Dean's greatest legacy is his love for his family, to whom he was devoted.  Dean, as he was affectionately known to his family, instilled a love of family, respect for others and goodness. He was wise, considerate, and caring; he had a great dry sense of humor and loved to get the last laugh. He looked forward to the family's annual Oak Island beach trip, car rides with his girls anywhere, but especially to Cookout for burgers and shakes, which they enjoyed together while watching the trains at the Selma Union Station. Dean was one of a kind – he read the holy books of the major religions and was quite fond of TikTok.

The family would like to thank his health care providers at UNC Health Johnston, NC Heart & Vascular, Ali Lung Clinic, and UNC Health Family Medicine for their compassionate care.  In a private ceremony later, Dean's ashes will be laid to rest in the Chesapeake Bay at the same coordinates as his beloved wife, Geri, and a memorial marker will be placed at the Riverside Cemetery in Smithfield.

In lieu of flowers, the Stevens family asks that tributes be sent to the Johnston Health Foundation Greatest Need Fund. P.O. Box 1376 Smithfield, NC 27577 or https://www.johnstonhealthfoundation.org/home/make-a-donation/.